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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Ecclesiastes 1:2–8

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?
One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.
The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.
The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.
All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.
All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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7 selected · 3 available

Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

32 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 2

  1. Psalms 144:4Rank 1 from verse 2
    Open

    4Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.

  2. Romans 8:20Rank 2 from verse 2
    Open

    20For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

  3. Ecclesiastes 5:10Rank 3 from verse 2
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    10He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

  4. Psalms 39:5–6Rank 4 from verse 2
    Open

    5Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.

    6Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

  5. Ecclesiastes 12:8Rank 5 from verse 2
    Open

    8¶ Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.

From verse 3

  1. Ecclesiastes 3:9Rank 1 from verse 3
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    9What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?

  2. Ecclesiastes 2:22Rank 2 from verse 3
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    22For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?

  3. Ecclesiastes 5:16Rank 3 from verse 3
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    16And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?

  4. Ecclesiastes 2:11Rank 4 from verse 3
    Open

    11Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

  5. Mark 8:36–37Rank 5 from verse 3
    Open

    36For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

    37Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

From verse 4

  1. Psalms 104:5Rank 1 from verse 4
    Open

    5Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.

  2. Ecclesiastes 6:12Rank 2 from verse 4
    Open

    12For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?

  3. Zechariah 1:5Rank 3 from verse 4
    Open

    5Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?

  4. Matthew 24:35Rank 4 from verse 4
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    35Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

  5. Psalms 119:90–91Rank 5 from verse 4
    Open

    90Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.

    91They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.

From verse 5

  1. Habakkuk 3:11Rank 1 from verse 5
    Open

    11The sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of thine arrows they went, and at the shining of thy glittering spear.

  2. Psalms 19:4–6Rank 2 from verse 5
    Open

    4Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

    5Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

    6His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

  3. Psalms 42:1Rank 3 from verse 5
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    1AS the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

  4. Genesis 8:22Rank 4 from verse 5
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    22While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

  5. Joshua 10:13–14Rank 5 from verse 5
    Open

    13And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.

    14And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the Lord fought for Israel.

From verse 6

  1. John 3:8Rank 1 from verse 6
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    8The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

  2. Ecclesiastes 11:5Rank 2 from verse 6
    Open

    5As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.

  3. Job 37:17Rank 3 from verse 6
    Open

    17How thy garments are warm, when he quieteth the earth by the south wind?

  4. Job 37:9Rank 4 from verse 6
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    9Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.

  5. Psalms 107:25Rank 5 from verse 6
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    25For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.

From verse 7

  1. Job 38:10–11Rank 1 from verse 7
    Open

    10And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,

    11And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?

  2. Psalms 104:6–9Rank 2 from verse 7
    Open

    6Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains.

    7At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.

    8They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them.

    9Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.

From verse 8

  1. Proverbs 27:20Rank 1 from verse 8
    Open

    20Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

  2. Matthew 11:28Rank 2 from verse 8
    Open

    28¶ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

  3. Ecclesiastes 4:8Rank 3 from verse 8
    Open

    8There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.

  4. Ecclesiastes 2:11Rank 4 from verse 8
    Open

    11Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

  5. Ecclesiastes 2:26Rank 5 from verse 8
    Open

    26For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 1:2

COMBINED MEANING

vanity

↗

Emptiness, futility, worthlessness, falsehood, unreliability, or transience.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 1:3

COMBINED MEANING

profit

↗

Sense 1: Benefit or advantage. Sense 2: To benefit, improve, or advance.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

labour

↗

1. Work, toil, effort, exertion, service, or the product of work. 2. Weariness or trouble. 3. Travail in childbirth. 4. To work, strive, serve, or exert oneself.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

taketh

↗

Third-person singular present form of take: receives, seizes, carries, accepts, chooses, or lays hold of.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

sun

↗

The great light that rules the day and gives light and heat.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 1:4

COMBINED MEANING

passeth

↗

Third-person singular present form of pass, meaning to go by, through, over, or beyond; to happen, cease, or be transferred.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

another

↗

1. In "one another" and like reciprocal or distributive constructions, each the other, or one in relation to the other or others. 2. One other, one more, or a different or additional person or thing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

earth

↗

Sense 1: The world in distinction from heaven. Sense 2: Dry land, ground, soil, or dust. Sense 3: A land, region, or its inhabitants.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for ever

↗

1. Without end; for all time. 2. Continually or permanently throughout the duration in view.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

ever

↗

At any time; always or continually; throughout all time or for ever.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 1:5

COMBINED MEANING

sun

↗

The great light that rules the day and gives light and heat.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

hasteth

↗

Third-person singular present form of haste (to hurry, act quickly, or make speed).

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

place

↗

Sense 1: A physical location or room. Sense 2: A position or office. Sense 3: An occasion, circumstance, or passage. Sense 4: To set, fix, locate, or establish.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

arose

↗

1. Rose, stood up, got up, or moved upward from a lower, lying, seated, fallen, or inactive position. 2. Began, emerged, appeared, came into being, or came forward. 3. Took action, intervened, or undertook the stated work. 4. Rose from death; returned to life.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 1:6

COMBINED MEANING

wind

↗

Sense 1: Air in motion; a current of air. Sense 2: Breath or a movement of air from breathing. Sense 3: By figure, something empty, unstable, or passing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

toward

↗

1. In the direction of or in relation to. 2. Approaching. 3. Inclined or ready.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

COMBINED MEANING

turneth

↗

Third-person singular present form of turn, meaning to change direction, position, condition, purpose, or allegiance; to cause such a change.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

about

↗

1. Around or near in place, position, or movement; on every side, in a circuit, from place to place, or turned from one direction or state toward another. 2. Approximately in number, measure, distance, or time. 3. Concerning, occupied with, or engaged in a matter. 4. On the point of, intending, or attempting an action.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

north

↗

The direction or quarter opposite south; the side or region toward that quarter.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

whirleth

↗

Turns, spins, or moves rapidly around and around in a recurring course or circuit.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

continually

↗

1. Repeatedly, habitually, or at every appointed recurrence. 2. Without pause or cessation during the period stated.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

again

↗

Another time; once more; back to a former place or condition; or in return.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 1:7

COMBINED MEANING

run

↗

To move swiftly on foot; to flow, spread, proceed, continue, or carry out a course.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

sea

↗

1. A great body or expanse of gathered waters, including a named sea or lake, in which ships and creatures move. 2. The large brazen or molten basin made for the temple and called a sea. 3. Something represented or compared as a sea.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

yet

↗

1. Up to or at the present or stated time; still. 2. At some future time. 3. Nevertheless; however. 4. In addition; further.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

place

↗

Sense 1: A physical location or room. Sense 2: A position or office. Sense 3: An occasion, circumstance, or passage. Sense 4: To set, fix, locate, or establish.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

return

↗

Sense 1: To go, come, send, or give back; to restore, answer, or turn again. Sense 2: The act or time of coming back or recurring.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

again

↗

Another time; once more; back to a former place or condition; or in return.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 1:8

COMBINED MEANING

labour

↗

1. Work, toil, effort, exertion, service, or the product of work. 2. Weariness or trouble. 3. Travail in childbirth. 4. To work, strive, serve, or exert oneself.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

utter

↗

1. To speak, declare, or make known. 2. Outermost or complete.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

COMBINED MEANING

eye

↗

Sense 1: The bodily organ of sight; by extension, sight or seeing. Sense 2: Regard, judgment, disposition, or watchful attention, expressed figuratively by the eye. Sense 3: A small opening, as the eye of a needle. Sense 4: To watch or regard.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

satisfied

↗

Past-tense or past-participial form of satisfy (to fill, content, supply sufficiently, or meet what is required).

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

seeing

↗

1. As a connective, because, since, or in view of a stated fact. 2. Perceiving with the eyes; observing. 3. Recognizing, discerning, understanding, or foreseeing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

ear

↗

Sense 1: The organ of hearing. Sense 2: The seed-bearing head of grain.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

filled

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of fill. Sense 1: To make full or occupy capacity. Sense 2: To satisfy. Sense 3: To occupy. Sense 4: To complete what is lacking.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

hearing

↗

Sense 1: The act or faculty of perceiving sound. Sense 2: Audience, attention, or an opportunity to be heard. Sense 3: The range within which sound can be heard.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

READ THE PASSAGE

View in context

Suggested context · Ecclesiastes 1:1–11

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

1:1THE words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

1:2Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.

Selected passage

1:3What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?

Selected passage

1:4One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.

Selected passage

1:5The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.

Selected passage

1:6The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.

Selected passage

1:7All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.

Selected passage

1:8All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.

Selected passage

1:9The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

1:10Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.

1:11There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.

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